Overview

The Last Echo (Body Finder Series #3) by Kimberly Derting

In the end, all that's left is an echo.

Violet Ambrose always thought of her ability to sense the dead as more of a burden than a gift. Now that she's working with a special investigative team, she hopes she can use it to help people. But her instant connection with her mysterious partner, Rafe, is both confusing and unsettling, and creates tension with her boyfriend, Jay. When she discovers the body of a college student murdered by "the collector," Violet refuses to give up on the case. What Violet doesn't realize is that the serial killer is looking to add to his collection, and she may have caught his eye. Will the life Violet has to save be her own?

About the Author

Kimberly Derting is the author of the Body Finder series, the Pledge trilogy, and the Taking series. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where the gloomy weather is ideal for writing anything dark and creepy. Her three beautiful (and often mouthy) children serve as an endless source of inspiration and frequently find things they say buried in the pages of their mother’s books. You can visit her online at www.kimberlyderting.com.

Editorial Reviews

In this third installment of Violet Ambrose's adventures, she finally finds herself at home working with Sara's team of individuals with paranormal powers. Violet, who can sense the echoes left by a violent death on both the victim and the perpetrator, is now attempting to stop the Collector, a deranged man who "collects" victims he calls his "girlfriends," before he creates yet another victim. Her relationship with Jay remains solid, but she finds herself attracted to the enigmatic Rafe. And as Violet becomes the next target of the Collector, she must make choices that will have dramatic consequences for her life. Derting follows her successful recipe from the two previous books, with chapters that present both Violet's story and the Collector's as their paths intersect and head for a confrontation. Violet's character is extremely well developed, with the supporting cast also consisting of believable teenagers dealing with their own issues. The situations presented in the Collector's chapters involve forcible confinement, torture, and drug use and are better suited for older teens, as some of the descriptions are fairly graphic. There is no sex, however, and except for one instance, the language remains appropriate throughout the story. Fans of Derting will appreciate this third volume, and the conclusion indicates that a fourth volume may be forthcoming. Reviewer: Etienne Vallee

VOYA - Etienne Vallee

Gr 9 Up—This entry in the series stands on its own. Seventeen-year-old Violet has the ability to feel "echoes," sensations that help her find dead bodies and killers, and she is part of a special team of psychic teens working on high-profile projects for the police. Its latest case involves women who are being murdered by the "collector," a serial killer who attacks victims and dresses them as if they were going on dates. The hunt for him places Violet in some tense situations. In a separate matter, she encounters James Nua, a man with strong echoes from murdering his girlfriend and children. When they make eye contact, he recognizes something about her that is key to the rest of the novel. Members of her team can divine facts from objects, talk to ghosts, and see the future, and they have successfully located bodies of missing persons and solved difficult mysteries, and Violet is grateful to have found a group of people with whom she doesn't feel like an outcast. However, Rafe, a brooding guy with secrets, confuses her by acting hot and cold toward her; when they come into physical contact they have some kind of energy that shocks them both. Do her complicated feelings about him mean that she is betraying her loyal boyfriend? The suspenseful ending will have readers tucking under blankets and imagining horror-movie scenarios. Tell them not to read this one right before bed.—Jessica Lorentz Smith, Bend Senior High School, OR

School Library Journal

Seventeen-year-old Violet returns in the third installment of the Body Finder series, this time working for a secret agency that specializes in using paranormal powers to fight crime. For the first time since she learned that she is drawn to the locations of murdered dead bodies, Violet feels less of a freak. Although she doesn't understand all the paranormal abilities of her crime-fighting teammates, she feels as though she fits with them. However, she still loves her normal boyfriend Jay, so she worries about the strong physical response she feels whenever she touches Rafe, a member of the team. Meanwhile, Violet doesn't know she's become the target of a terrifying serial killer. As in previous volumes, Violet continues to reject simple safety precautions and hides all her worries from her parents. Her personal irresponsibility does not cause the danger when the killer attacks, however, and she demonstrates maturity and courage, assisted by a few doses of deux ex machina, when she fights back. She finally emerges as a mostly sympathetic heroine, even with the flaws that Derting often highlights. As always, this author writes a gripping tale, although she takes her time getting to the final conflict. Personalities come across quite strongly, as several of the characters tend toward the eccentric. With another sequel set up, this intriguing series continues to provide great entertainment for suspense fans. (Paranormal suspense. 12 & up)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

great story line, so naturally had to get the this book. It did not disappoint!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

I read the first two books in the series and I absolutely loved them. This one? Not so much...
First of all, if you are a fan of Violet and Jay, prepare for some dissappointment. I felt that Jay was reduced to a supporting character in this book rather than being more central to the plot (as he was in the first two). Although his and Violet's relationship was still cute, it was not as enticing as it was in the first books. Jay was hardly in the book and when he was it was only for a few pages.
Violet also irritated me a bit in this book even though I adored her in the first books. I felt that she was too indescisive and very naive and that bothered me a bit. I also think that she made some stupid descisions that really lessened her appeal for me. She kept getting irritated with people for stupid reasons and I think that she changed a lot from the first books, and not in a particularly good way.
The love triangle that occured between Jay, Violet, and Raffe felt very Twilight-y and unoriginal. I think that the whole love triangle concept is very overused in YA fiction, and I was really hoping that this author wouldn't introduce it jusr because it is so expected. The book really had a lot going on and didn't need a love triangle to complicate things or make them more exciting.
While reading this book, I definitely got a bit bored. I felt like the climax was pretty similar to the first two books and a bit repetitive. I found myself itching to get to the end, but not really in a good way, in more of a "I've already began reading this so might as well finish" way. With the other books, I was sad to get to the end. With this one I was actually relieved.
Now onto the redeeming qualities:
The book had some unexpected twists and turns that made it interesting. The end was surprising and although this is definitely not even close to one of my top books, I will wait patiently for the next one (the ending does leave A LOT of room for a fourth book).

Dazzlamb

More than 1 year ago

THE REVIEW
I expected THE LAST ECHO to differ from the two previous THE BODY FINDER novels. To be more controlled. Because this part of Violet&rsquo;s story is determined by her being a professional now, professional investigator and a great help in the solving of murder cases.
In THE BODY FINDER and DESIRES OF THE DEAD Violet was on her own with her talent and had to use it randomly, unknowingly. Now that she joined Sara Priest&rsquo;s team her talent has a purpose and is a force against law breakers. It's thrilling nevertheless.
Sara&rsquo;s team is made up of a bunch of gifted kids like Rafe. Then there are Gemma, Krystal and Sam. The cool thing about them? They have psychometric talents. You can find out all about what they can do and see them in action in THE LAST ECHO. They&rsquo;re a great addition to the THE BODY FINDER series cast.
You all remember Rafe? Mysterious boy who saved Vi&rsquo;s life in DESIRES OF THE DEAD. He&rsquo;s got a much bigger role in this book. And he is definitely a character whose personality deserves to be further explored. My heart opened up to him in this book and I definitely love to see him as a male protagonist&hellip; just not in Violet&rsquo;s love life.
Because there&rsquo;s still Jay. One of my favourite fictional boys out there. He is as caring, protective, supportive and sweet as ever. The problem is that with Vi spending to much time with Sara&rsquo;s team, Jay&rsquo;s presence in THE LAST ECHO is sporadic.
I loved the story, discovery of Rafe&rsquo;s person and the wicked antagonists, just the Jay withdrawal was not to my liking.
THE LAST ECHO also has what I really liked about THE BODY FINDER and DESIRES OF THE DEAD. The chapters told from Vi&rsquo;s perspective alternate with shorter chapters from the criminal&rsquo;s sight on the case, in this case the collector&rsquo;s.
Kimberly&rsquo;s writing is as excellent as expected and her building of tension is formidable. I would love to see THE BODY FINDER in the movies one day.
The antagonists are as crazy as never before and I have no idea where Kimberly gets her inspiration for them but they do their job of giving me the creeps pretty well.
Especially the collector is a cleverly constructed evil mind. His characteristics: a distorted imagine of reality and personality disorder. I will have to avoid purple nail polish for a while!
There were scenes I felt my heart beating in my head, they were so full of dread and tension. THE LAST ECHO, just as THE BODY FINDER and DESIRES OF THE DEAD before, holds what it promises!
We might get a glimpse into the team&rsquo;s work, their characters, technologies, talents, but there&rsquo;s still a lot more left in the dark, like who is the head behind all that?
How are Vi&rsquo;s relationships going to develop? What about Jay, Rafe, Sara and the team?
I&rsquo;m dying to find out in the (hopefully not) last part of THE BODY FINDER series.
THE VERDICT
4,5/5 ****/* THE LAST ECHO- Eerie, haunting and just as endearing as THE BODY FINDER and DESIRES OF THE DEAD before.
I&rsquo;ve been anticipating THE LAST ECHO since I read THE BODY FINDER and DESIRES OF THE DEAD in one sitting last year. I&rsquo;m glad that this book was not the last in the series. The THE BODY FINDER series is one I highly recommend and appreciate, because it brings a new thrill to the YA book section!

RebeccaBloomwood

More than 1 year ago

It's a MUST read! I love how Kimberly Derting lets you into the killers mind and shows you how far gone the person really is. There is a bit of a love triangle happening in the 3rd book, personally I don't mind it. Although Jay's character was lacking and at times I forgot about him! :/ The mystery of the book is great, very suspenseful. Over all, a definite page turner and I hope the series gets more attention, can't wait for the next book! :D

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

This is an amazing series! I never want it it end!!!!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

If you want to find out more about Rafe and his first love Sophie the book you want to read is called Enthralled (paranormal diversion) has different short stories written in the book and one of the stories is called Skin contact by ms.Derting this is a short story to inform you more about Rafe and the girl he loved,Sophie...by now we know somethong happened to Sophie but what happened exactly? So read Enthralled to find out...i hope Rafe has a happy ending he should after all he has gone through

Cilla35

More than 1 year ago

I cannot put into words how much I love this series- The Last Echo most especially. This third installment in The Body Finder series is just so fantastically creepy. In this book, Violet finds herself working with a Sara Priest and her team trying to find missing/dead girls, on a case where the predator is nicknamed The Collector .
While I was a little disappointed in the lack of Jay in this book (he was there, just less than I would have liked), I was thrilled at the fact that we are able to get to know Rafe better--despite the apparent love triangle that seems to be forming (I am biased towards Jay). Throughout the book we learn more about the abilities of the members of Sara Priests team of psychics. As well, we follow Violet on a journey as she tries to find her place on the team and, in a thrilling twist, goes from the hunter to the hunted.
The Last Echo is, by far, my favorite book of the series (I know, I said that already, but it's true!)and I can't wait for Dead Silence!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

MontzieW

More than 1 year ago

The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) by Kimberly Derting is another great book about Violet who can 'feel' echos of people that have been murder. In this book, Violet is working with others that have special abilities to investigate murders and missing persons. Violet gets too close to the mission. A couple of separate investigations she is in too close for comfort in this terrifying, suspenseful book! This is one you do not want to miss!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

I love jay an violet! Thyere so sweet i also really like rafe his bad boy attitude but probably because i like a boy at school named raife im sad hes gone buut hell come ack right!?

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

My kind of morbid story

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Honestly I wish there were more. I thought this book was well done and incredibly interesting, a Criminal Minds show with more personal aspects as you get to know characters and relationships in a view that on cannot reach through a show. I love the characters along with the plot, and I cannot wait to read more of her books. Truly, I was blown away.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

why is there not a nook sample of this one but there is of all the others?

BooksWithBite

More than 1 year ago

Taking my time, I enjoyed this novel. Very moving from start to finish, I&rsquo;m anxious to get to the next book already&hellip;
The plot of the book is once again very exciting. Moving quickly, stepping into Violet&rsquo;s shoe&rsquo;s, I&rsquo;m ready to be a detective. I&rsquo;m ready to find dead bodies and solve mysteries. Being in Violet shoes is never boring. Instead, I find myself so intrigued with the plot I can&rsquo;t help but read faster.
The love interest for me is good. I know Violet is discovering different feeling in her and I know its just a matter of time before she picks. She keeps saying what she wants, just not what she feels. At this point, I think it can go either way. I do like that this love interest is not a totally love triangle. It&rsquo;s complicated just not overly complicated with I could deal with. Violet doesn&rsquo;t mess around or play games.
The Last Echo confirms that Violet is gaining strength and coming into her abilities fast. She is becoming much more receptive of it, which helps Violet overall. Profound and moving, The Last Echo is great!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

kuegina

More than 1 year ago

Just like its previous series, the Last Echo is an amazing read. It doesn't matter if you're not fond of supernatural features or events; this wonderfully written novel will draw you in so deep, you'll just have to spend more money on its other series! And it's worth every single cent. I L-O-V-E-D IT- but not as much as the previous books. I felt that this one just wasn't enough... i mean, it just didn't fill in my expectaqtions and interests because it lacked Jay and the whole novel was just too plain simple. Plus, the ending nearly made me go nuts. I won't spoil anything. But anyways, you won't regret it, maybe...

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